Kid Rock was the most irrelevant part of the NHL All-Star Game and that's exactly as it should be

TAMPA – During a break in play at Sunday’s NHL All-Star Game, Steven Stamkos and the Tampa Bay Lightning took a moment to honor Willie O’Ree, the first black player in the NHL, as their community hero of the week.

It was a powerful moment as fans and players gave O’Ree an extended standing ovation to honor his breaking of the color barrier in professional hockey. The crowd was electric and on their feet as players up and down the line stopped to shake O’Ree’s hand, thanking him for what he’d contributed to the game.

In an abrupt tonal shift about 15 minutes later, Kid Rock took the stage to an audience that could not have been more indifferent to his presence. There were no cheers when he came on stage, but there were also no boos. Without saying a word to the crowd or even mentioning the NHL, Kid Rock kicked off his two song set with “American Rock n Roll” as local kids from Tampa sang back up. The crowd livened up a bit as he launched into his hit single “Bawitdaba” but it was nothing compared to the genuine feeling they’d shown earlier for O’Ree. Frankly, most of them used the time for a restroom break.

Sure, it looked cool, with cell phone flash lights scattered across the arena, and Kid Rock performing in front of a huge screen showing NHL highlights, but there was very little actual connection with the crowd. Kid Rock, who is a big Red Wings fan, came on, sang his songs, and got out of there as fast as possible.

The NHL may not have known they were courting controversy when they asked Kid Rock to headline the 2018 NHL All-Star Game but that’s exactly what happened. When they invited Kid Rock to take the stage at the league’s biggest event, they also invited his politics, which can often be divisive. A firm Trump supporter, Kid Rock hasn’t backed away from sharing his political views and has performed in front of a confederate flag, denigrated transgender people and made homophobic remarks during a political rant at one of his shows.

It’s not what anyone who is a fan of the sport wants to take a away from All-Star Weekend and the NHL made a colossal blunder by inviting it in. This weekend has had some fantastic moments, from O’Ree’s standing ovation to the support the entire NHL has shown Brian Boyle and Kid Rock doesn’t belong anywhere near it.

Though a lot of damage has already been done, Kid Rock was a much less influential, and frankly irrelevant part of the weekend, and that’s exactly as it should be. Fans can only hope the NHL has learned from this mistake.

Kid Rock was the most irrelevant part of the NHL All-Star Game and that's exactly as it should be

The spirit of All-Star Weekend is the standing ovation the crowd gave Willie O’Ree, not Kid Rock. The NHL would do well to remember (…)

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